Clothes rack



Sept 19341 H. BULLARD 1,973,521

CLOTHES RACK Fi led Dec. 4, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QIE I! INVENTOR Sept. 11, 1934. BULLARD 1,973,521

CLOTHES RACK Filed Dec. 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide a clothes rack of improved construction which may be collapsed into a relatively small space when not in use. Second, to provide a device of this character adaptable for use as a kitchen stool when collapsed.

Third, to provide a clothes rack comprising a plurality of sections or units arranged in telescopic relation and which is simple and economical in its parts and comparatively easy to set up and collapse. v

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my clothes rack in fully erected or open position.

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view of the device with the parts in collapsed position and ready for use as a kitchen stool.

5 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section on line 33 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partially in section, showing the parts in partly open position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 7-7 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 88 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a view partially in transverse section on line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 10-10 of Fig. 2.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a hollow pedestal 1 which constitutes a tubular casing into which the rack parts may be completely tele-,

scoped or collapsed. This pedestal is provided with radially arranged legs connected to the pedestal by means of collars 2 and 3.

The legs, in the embodiment illustrated, comprise the web-like portions l and the strap top portions 5 which terminate at their outer ends in the loops 6 which constitute the feet for the pedestal. The webs are provided with tongues '7 disposed through holes provided therefor in the straps and clamped upon the top thereof a for securing the parts in assembled relation.

The collar 2 has holes 8 therein engaged by the struck-up lugs 9 on the pedestal, the pedestal being provided with an annular bead 10 with which the upper edge of the collar engages, this bead receiving the thrust of the collar. The bottom 11 closes the lower end of the pedestal, this bottom having a down-turned flange which is spot-welded to the pedestal at 13.

At its upper end, the casing or pedestal is provided with an out-turned rim 14 receiving the upper sleeve portion 15 of the cover 16 which is preferably adapted as a seat so that when the rack is completely collapsed and the cover in position, it may be used as a stool. The collar or sleeve portion 15 of the cover is provided with 7 an annular rib 17 which rests on the flange 14 and is further provided with detents 18 coacting with the flange to d etachably hold the cover in position.

The embodiment illustrated comprises three rack units telescopingly associated with each other and with the pedestal. The lower rack unit comprises a base ring 20, a. spider 21, and a plurality of channeled uprights 22, and rack bars 23. The spider 21 is corrugated and the uprights 22 and rack bars 23 are arranged in the outwardly facing corrugations and welded to the spider at 24. The channel uprights 22 face out- Wardly and have out-turned flanges 25 welded to the base ring 20 at 26, the flanges 25'being folded back along the sides of the uprights above the base ring (see Figs. 5 and 6). The rack bars 23 are pivoted within the channel uprights 22 at 27 to collapse to an upright position therein or to be swung outwardly to erected position, resting upon the flange 14, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 in which position the lower unit is elevated until its base ring 20 engages the stop 28 provided therefor on the casing of the pedestal. The rack bars, when swung to erected position, support the bottom unit in its elevated or erected position on the pedestal. The stop 28 coacting with the base ring 20 prevents the arms from tilting downwardly or swinging beyond a horizontal erected position.

The intermediate rack unit designated generally by the numeral 29 is adapted to telescope into the lower rack unit and comprises a base ring 30 and a top ring 31 connected by outwardly facing channel shaped uprights 32. The rack 105 bars 33 of this unit are pivoted at 34 within the uprights 32 so that they may be swung outwardly to erected position when the intermediate unit is elevated sufficiently for its pivots 34 to clear the spider 21. The uprights 32 are arranged on the 110 outside of the base ring 30, being welded thereto at 35. The uprights are similarly arranged relative to the top ring 31 and are welded thereto at 36. These uprights 32 are disposed within the inwardly facing corrugations of the spider 21 so as to be circumferentially spaced or located thereby and positioned in alternating relation with respect to the uprights 22 of the lower rack unit. The upward movement of the intermediate rack unit 29 is limited by the engagement of its bottom ring with the lower edge of the spider 21. In the embodiment illustrated, the spider 21 is provided with an internal reinforcing ring 37 which is welded thereto at 38. By employing this reinforcing ring, the spider is reinforced so that it may be formed of relatively light'material; at the same time is strong and rigid and it will be appreciated that lightness is a feature of advantage both from the standpoint oi-cost of materials and manipulation.

I provide an upper rack unit 39 adapted to telescope within the intermediate rack unit 29. This upper rack unit comprises a base ring or tube 40, the channel-shaped outwardly facing relatively short uprights 11, the rack bars 42 pivoted at 43 within these uprights 4:1 for collapsing movement and adapted to swing outwardly over the top ring 31 of the intermediate unit 29. The uprights l1 are welded to the base tube 40 at 44. The base ring 30 of the intermediate unit is provided with an internal annular bead 45 constituting a stop for limiting the downward movement of the upper unit by engaging the lowerend of the channels 41, as illustrated by Fig. 3. The upward movement of the upper unit 39 is limited by the engagement of thewire ring 46 on the upper unit with the projections 47 on the ring 31 of the intermediate unit. The flanges 41 are grooved at 48 to provide a seat for the wire ring 46. v

With the parts thus arranged, the device may be quickly and readily set up as'a clothes rack by removing the seat-like cover 16 and withdrawing the sections or units from the hollow pedestal, as illustrated by Fig. 1. After the sections are advanced sufiiciently, the rack bars are swung outwardly and support the units one above the other on the pedestal. When collapsed, the structure occupies a relatively small space as illustrated by Fig. 2, and is then useful as a kitchen stool.

The structure, although compact, has -a very substantial capacity and may be quickly and easily erected or collapsed.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, a spider, outwardly facing channel uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted within said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, the pedestal having a stop coacting with the base ring to limit the upward movement of the lower unit, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, outwardly facing channeled uprights secured to said rings ofthe intermediate rack unit, rack bars pivoted within said last named uprights for collapsing therein and adapted to rest on said spider when the intermediate rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the intermediate rack in its erected position, the spider having a stop engageable with the lower unit base ring to limit the upward movement of the unit, the uprights of the lower and intermediate units being arranged in alternating side by side relation, an upper rack unit telescopingly associated with said intermediate rack unit and comprising a base ring, outwardly facing channeled uprights secured to said base ring, and rack bars pivoted to the uprights to be collapsed therein'and adapted to rest on the upper ring of the intermediate rack bar when the upper rack unit is in erected position, one of the uprights of said upper unit having a stop engageable with the upper ring of the intermediate rack unit for lim iting the upward movement of the upper unit.

2. In. a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, a spider, outwardly facing channel uprights secured to'said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted within said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, an intermediate rack unittelescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, outwardly facing channeled uprights secured to said rings of the intermediate rack unit, rack bars pivoted within said last named uprights for collapsing therein and adapted to rest on said spider when the intermediate rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the intermediate rack in its erected position, the uprights of the lower and intermediate unitsbeing arranged in alternating side by side relation, an upper rack unit telescopingly associated with said intermediate rack unit and comprising a base ring, outwardly facing channeled uprights securedto said base ring, and rack bars pivoted to the uprights to be collapsed therein and adapted to rest on the upper ring of the intermediate rack bar when the upper rack unit is in erected position.

3. In a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprisinga base ring, a spider, uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted to said uprights and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, the pedestal having a stop coacting with the base ring to limit the upward movement of the lower unit, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, uprights secured to said rings of the intermediate rack unit, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights and adapted to rest on said spider when the intermediate rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the intermediate rack in its erected position, the spider having a stop engageable with the lower unit base ring to limit the upward movement of the unit, the uprights of the lower and intermediate units being arranged in alternating side by side relation, an upper rack unit telescopingly associated with said intermediate raclrunit and comprising a base ring, uprights secured to said base ring, and rack bars pivoted to the uprights and adapted to rest on the upper ring of the intermediate rack bar when the upper rack unit is in erected position, one of the uprights of said upper unit having a stop engageable with the upper ring of the intermediaterack unit for limiting the upward movement of the upper unit.

4. In a combined clothes raok'and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, a spider, uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted to said uprights and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, uprights secured to said rings of the intermediate rack unit, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights and adapted to rest on said spider when the intermediate rack unit is in its erected position and constituting'supports for holding the intermediate rack in its erected position, the uprights of the lower and intermediate units being arranged in alternating side by side relation, an upper rack unit telescopingly associated with said intermediate rack unit and comprising a base ring, uprights secured to said base ring, and rack bars pivoted to the uprights and adapted to rest on the upper ring of the intermediate rack bar when the upper rack unit is in erected position.

- 5. In a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestaha lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, a spider, outwardly facing channel uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted to said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, the pedestal having a stop coacting with the base ring to limit the upward movement of the lower unit, and a second rack unit telescop ingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, outwardly facing channeled uprights secured to said upper and lower rings, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights for collapsing therein and adapted to rest on said spider when the second rack is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the second rack in its erected position, the spider having a stop engageable with the lower unit base ring to limit the upward movement of the unit, the uprights of the lower and second units being arranged in alternating side by side relation.

6. In a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said ped estal and comprising a base ring, a spider, outwardly facing channel uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted to said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, and a second rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, outwardly facing channeled uprights secured to said upper and lower rings, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights for collapsing therein and adapted to rest on said spider when the second rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the second rack in its erected position, the uprights of the lower and second units being arranged in alternating side by side relation.

' 7. In a combined clothes'rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, a spider, uprights secured to said ring and spider,-rack bars pivoted to said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, the pedestal having a stop coacting with the base ring to limit the upward movement of the lower unit, and a second rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, uprights secured to said upper and lower rings, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights for collapsing therein and adapted to rest on said spider when the second rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the second rack in its erected position, the spider having a stop engageable with the lower unit base ring to limit the upward movement of the unit, the uprights of the lower and second units being arranged in alternating side by side relation. g

8. In a combined clothes rack and stool, the combination of a hollow upright pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated with said pedestal and comprising a base ring, "a spider, uprights secured to said ring and spider, rack bars pivoted to said uprights for collapsing therein and adapted when the unit is in erected position to rest on the top of the pedestal and supporting the unit in erected position, and a second rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising upper and lower rings, uprights secured to said upper and lower rings, rack bars pivoted to said last named uprights and adapted to rest on said spider when the second rack unit is in its erected position and constituting supports for holding the second rack in its erected position, the uprights of the lower and second units being arranged in alternating side by side relation.

9. A clothes rack comprising in combination a hollow pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated therein and comprising annular top and bottom members and channeled outwardly facing uprights secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights and pivoted thereto so that they may be swung to erected position in supporting engagement with the top of the pedestal, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising annular top and bottom members and outwardly facing channeled uprights secured thereto, and rack bars pivoted to said uprights to collapse therein or to be swung outwardly to erected position into supporting engagement with the top member of the lower rack unit, and an upper rack bar unit telescopingly associated with the intermediate rack unit and comprising a base memher having outwardly facing channeled uprights mounted thereon, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights and pivoted thereto to swing outwardly l associated therein and comprising annular top and bottom members and channeled outwardly facing uprights secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising annular top and bottom members and outwardly facing channeled uprights secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights, and an upper rack bar unit telescopingly associated with the intermediate rack unit and comprising a base member having outwardly facing channeled uprights mounted thereon, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights.

l1. A clothes rackcomprising in combination a hollow pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated therein and comprising annular top and bottom members and uprights secured thereto, and rack bars pivoted to said uprights so that they may be swung to erected position in supporting engagement with the top of the pedestal, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising annular top and bottom members and uprights secured thereto, and rack bars pivoted to said uprights to be swung outwardly to erected position into supporting engagement with the top member of the lower rack unit, and an upper rack bar unit telescopingly associated with the intermediate rack unit and comprising a base member having uprights mounted thereon and rack bars pivoted to said uprights to swing outwardly to erected position in supporting engagement with the top member ofthe intermediate unit.

12. A clothes rack comprising in combination a hollow pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated therein and comprising annular top and bottom members and channeled outwardly facing uprights secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights and pivoted thereto so that theymay be swung to erected position in supporting engagement with the top of the pedestal, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack unit and comprising annular top and bottom members and outwardly facing channeled uprights secured thereto, and rack bars pivoted tosaid uprights to collapse therein or to be swungoutwardly to erected position into supporting engagement with the top member of the lower rack unit.

13. A clothes rack comprising in combination a hollow pedestal, a lower rack unit telescopingly associated therein and comprising annular top and bottom members and channeled outwardly facing uprights secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights, an intermediate rack unit telescopingly associated with said lower rack Luiit and comprising annular top and bottom members and outwardly facing channeled uprights'secured thereto, and rack bars collapsible in said uprights.

14. A clothes rack comprising in combination a hollow pedestal, and a rack unit telescopingly associated therewith and comprising a plurality of outwardlyfacing channeled uprights radially disposed in a spaced annular series, spaced rings securing said uprights in assembled relation, and rack bars pivoted within said channels to be collapsed therein or to be swung outwardly to erected position in supporting engagement with the top of the pedestal.

15.- A clothes rack comprising in combination a hollow pedestal, and a rack unit telescopingly associated therewith and comprising a plurality of uprights disposed radially in a spaced annular series, spaced rings securing said uprights in assembled relation, and rack. bars pivoted to said 

